Experience Diving in a Flooded Opal Mine

Private guided tours

Slovak opal mines were the first and for several centuries the only source of expensive opal in the world. A 5 km long labyrinth of flooded tunnels and secret places is now waiting to be explored. For certified full cave divers only.

What to expect?

Slovak opal mines have 17 horizons, 4 of which are flooded, while the deepest spot is almost 70 m below the water level. The flooded tunnels stretch for almost 5 km. There is a main line marked with system arrows, but there are also separate tunnels to explore.

The water temperature is 4-5°C and visibility deteriorates rapidly due to soft sediments on the walls and ceiling. Full cave training, good buoyancy and swimming, personal line marking and awareness are key. We are proud to be the official diving operation/provider in the Slovak opal mines, offering complete diving services.

1 km

length of tunnels

1 m

deepest spot

1/17

flooded horizons

1°C

water temperature

Our Offer & Pricing

IMPORTANT: The prices below are for the whole group (2-4 divers). You must be a certified cave or mine diver to perform the dive.

2 dives package
900 €price per group
  • 2 days
  • 2 guided dives (60 - 90 min.)
  • 2 - 4 divers
3 dives package
1450 €price per group
  • 3 days
  • 3 guided dives (60 - 90 min.)
  • 1 guided tour through dry parts of the mine (3 - 5 hours)
  • 2 - 4 divers
4 dives package
1550 €price per group
  • 3 days
  • 4 guided dives (60 - 90 min.)
  • Full opal mine diving experience
  • 2 - 4 divers

Frequently Asked Questions

The area of Slovak opal mines with a parking lot is located right next to the road between the villages of Zlatá Baňa and Červenica in the Slanské vrchy, only about 20 km from Prešov. It is approximately 23 km from the Košice side. The road is marked with official signs. If you use Google maps for help, enter “Portál štôlne Jozef” into them. The place is precisely marked.

The parking lot is located right next to the main road above the complex itself. Parking is hassle-free and free.

Unfortunately, we have to say NO to this question. Opal is a reserved mineral and as such is the property of the state. Any extraction or collection can only be carried out with a valid permit. Any adventurer with opal fever who tries it on their own is breaking the law.

Slovak opal mines were the first and for several centuries the only source of expensive opal in the world. Because of its scarcity, opal was considered the “King of Gems” and the rarest gemstone in the world. The first written mentions of opal mining come from 1597, but according to the mining methods used, deep mining probably started in the 11th or 12th century. Surface mining, however, dates back to Roman times as early as 200 BC.

The area of Slovak opal mines with a parking lot is located right next to the road between the villages of Zlatá Baňa and Červenica in the Slanské vrchy, only about 20 km from Prešov. It is approximately 23 km from the Košice side. The road is marked with official signs. If you use Google maps for help, enter “Portál štôlne Jozef” into them. The place is precisely marked.

The parking lot is located right next to the main road above the complex itself. Parking is hassle-free and free.

Unfortunately, we have to say NO to this question. Opal is a reserved mineral and as such is the property of the state. Any extraction or collection can only be carried out with a valid permit. Any adventurer with opal fever who tries it on their own is breaking the law.

Slovak opal mines were the first and for several centuries the only source of expensive opal in the world. Because of its scarcity, opal was considered the “King of Gems” and the rarest gemstone in the world. The first written mentions of opal mining come from 1597, but according to the mining methods used, deep mining probably started in the 11th or 12th century. Surface mining, however, dates back to Roman times as early as 200 BC.

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    Opal Divers
    Slovak opal mines – Gateway tunnel JOZEF
    Návštevnícke centrum – štôlňa Jozef
    Červenica 198
    GPS: 48.9040705, 21.4593696

    info@opaldivers.com
    +421 905 737 180
    +421 905 366 226